Good morning, Dothan.

Dothan Leisure Services will host its 28th Annual Youth Fishing Day on Friday, July 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Eastgate Park—children ages 5 to 15 can fish for prizes and families will enjoy a free morning outdoors as limited bait is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A Dale County man named 55-year-old Shane Carpenter was arrested on July 15 after a crash on County Road 113 in Ariton left a female passenger forced into his vehicle at gunpoint—he faces charges of 1st degree kidnapping, 2nd degree assault, and 1st degree criminal mischief— and he is held at Dale County Jail.

On July 15, Houston County Sheriff’s Office and Dothan Police Department executed a joint operation that led to the arrest of three adults—Albert McLeod, Areacia Luke, and Marion Luke—and three juveniles on charges including motor vehicle break-ins while recovering stolen handguns from Abbeville and Dothan, an AM-15 short barrel rifle, and illegal narcotics such as Fentanyl and Marijuana, with adults taken to Houston County Jail and juveniles to Southeast Alabama Diversion Center.

The Wiregrass Museum of Art is hosting Art After Hours today from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.—opening a new exhibition titled CONSTRUCTIONS: Contemporary Fiber that features work from 21 artists and will be on view until December 27.

Alabama now uses a three-stage Graduated Driver License system that took effect on October 1 and applies to most teen drivers under 18 — learners are eligible at 15, restricted licenses at 16, and full licenses at 17 or 18 with some exceptions.

Teens must pass a written test, submit required documents, and complete 50 hours of supervised driving or a state-approved driver’s education course before receiving a full license.

Beacon of Hope ABA represented southeast Alabama at Autism Speaks Hill Day in Washington, D.C.—three advocates attended to discuss the Autism CARES Act, potential Medicaid cuts, and ways to improve local autism resources for families.

Dothan Leisure Services has opened registration for the 2025 fall youth sports season (parents can sign up through July 20 with late registration beginning July 21) as the city offers new programs including Girls’ Volleyball for grades 3 through 8 and NFL Flag Football for ages 6 to 12. Returning sports such as youth soccer, tackle football, and cheerleading remain available (participation costs $40 per child with an extra $30 uniform deposit required for tackle football).